Seeing as I tipped her because I am, myself, a server, I figured maybe it would apply to this thread. Everyone on the TalesFromTheCustomer sub was incredibly angry for my feeling obligated to tip. I was basically just called an idiot and a moron over and over again. It got real toxic real fast. Am I crazy? Am I completely wrong here? Let me know what you think.

'It was around 9pm, I had just driven 7hrs, and I was hungry and tired. There's an Italian place a few blocks from my house that closes at 10pm so I figured I would place a pickup order online for some dang 'sghetti and meatballs. I was feeling basic as fuck, don't judge me.

Before I left, I called the place to ask if they could throw some parm in the bag.

ME: hi I placed a pickup order and just wanted to see if you could throw a side of parmesan in the bag.

GIRL: yeah...you could have just asked for that when you came in.

ME: oh...um...ok... does it by any chance come with a side salad? (A lot of italian places do that)

GIRL: no.

ME: oh ok no worries I just figured I would - click she hangs up

So I brush it off just thinking maybe they're busy. I work in the service industry too, so I understand that it can be difficult to always maintain a cheery demeanour with customers when shit hits the fan.

I get to the place and go up to the side of the bar that is designated for pick up orders. The whole restaurant is empty except for one family eating at a table. The girl behind the bar is wearing a snotty face that definitely personifies the voice on the phone.

ME: hi i'm here to pick up that order. * points at the one brown bag on the counter *.

GIRL, making exaggerated facial expressions in an attempt to patronize me: oH sO gOoD oF yOu To CoMe! HeRe YoU gO! * makes that wide-mouthed, squinty-eyed, fake smile people do when they are trying to be aggressive through their teeth *.

ME: ...is everything ok?

GIRL: OOH of course it is, * looks at the receipt and says my name as she hands me the bag *.

ME: ok...where do i sign?

GIRL: nothing to sign! Have a good one!

ME: oh, but i don't have cash and I want to leave the tip.

GIRL, extremely facetious at this point: oh don't worry about it! I'm SuRe you'll just get me next time, right!? I'm SuRe you really want to tip me!

(I should note that I have only eaten at this place once. Dined in and definitely tipped at least 20%, as I always do. Again, I also work in the industry)

ME, completely confused and frustrated: look, can I just buy something cheap with my card right now so I can leave a tip?

GIRL: doooon't worry about it, * says my name loudly *.

ME: no, i want to leave a tip. Seriously. Just let me buy the four dollar bread basket so i can leave a tip.

She finally agrees and walks back to the open kitchen. She makes a joke that is in inaudible to me and all the cooks look at me and laugh. I'm just standing there...trying to fucking tip her. She slowly saunters back over and drops a small ToGo box on the counter. The receipt is printed and I scribble out a huge tip. At this point I'm kind of shaken and just want to get out of there.

The girl gives another one of those fake smiles and says, "Byyeeeee."

The food was horrible. No sauce at all and the meatballs were burnt; like that kind of burnt that only happens when you overcook something in the microwave.

Not going back to this place.'

NOTE: I'm not allowed to post direct links, but if you want to see the garbage fire that is the original post, look for "Oh, I'm sUrE you want to tip me." on the TalesFromTheCustomer sub.

NEW NOTE: sort of related story to let you know why I place a lot of importance on tipping. I was bartending at my job recently and poured a $7 beer for this dude. He put exactly 7 dollars in cash down on the bar without realizing there was tax. So, already awkward about the fact that he didn't plan on tipping me, I had to explain to him that what he put down wasn't enough due to tax. He proceeds to reach into our tip bucket, pulls out a dollar, slaps it on the counter, and says, "keep the FUCKING change." He angrily scoffs and walks off with his beer before I can even respond. Had it been less busy (crazy saturday high volume place in trendy area) I would have chased him down